Monday, May 30, 2011

I meant for this post to go on our actual anniversary but we both actually forgot it (gasp!). I guess this is what happens when you're preoccupied with work and kids :) Hubby and I met in college so have been together for 10 years and married for 5 years. I'm still trying to figure out what we should do to celebrate our anniversary...any ideas?

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Headed to the outlet mall bright and early this morning in hopes of catching some good deals for the family and getting more cutesy things for Baby Girl. J. Crew Factory was having an amazing sale - 50% off all clearance prices (anything that ended in $0.97)!

First up is an olive green military jacket:

J. Crew Factory Olive Military Jacket, Sz 0, $25 (orig. $98)

J. Crew has a tendency to run a bit big so despite the fact that I'm 5.5 months pregnant, I can still zip up this size 0 jacket. The good thing (aside from the amazing price) is that the bottom has ribbing for a little bit of stretch so I think it will still fit nicely post pregnancy.

Verdict: Buy

J. Crew Factory Amethyst Purple Open Cardigan, XS, $20 (orig. $64.50)

I LOVE this color! I know it looks gray in this photo (hazard of iPhone pics) but it's actually a gorgeous amethyst purple like the top and necklace in my header above. The arms fit well but the body will be a little loose post pregnancy. Not that big of a deal since I will likely belt it and the color is so pretty.

I have a bunch of gray cardigans already but I was really drawn to the studded stripes detail. This wound up being too loose. Once again, not a good sign if it barely has to stretch to accommodate a pregnant belly.

Verdict: No to this one. I wound up perusing the racks one more time and found an olive version in XS so I bought that one instead.

And here's my shopping outfit - Bohemian Momma:

Dress: H&M Olive Floral Maxi

Necklace: F21

Vest: Open Knit Cream-Colored Vest from Dillard's

So if you live near a J. Crew factory store, it's well worth your time! Anyone else shopping this weekend? Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Over halfway through and I'm still not a fan of maternity wear. I know I may be in the minority, but I just don't feel like it's necessary (at least not yet) and I'd rather wear my normal "cute" things than super-matronly ones.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

I saw this gorgeous, super-soft melon colored jersey fabric at Hancock Fabrics and knew it would be perfect for a maxi dress. To make it different from all my other maxis, I decided to add 2 tiers of ruffles to the top. The good thing about this dress is that it can easily be belted at the waist post-pregnancy and still be wearable afterwards.

DIY Melon Ruffled Maxi Dress

Frye Joy Vintage Slides

Close-up of ruffle detail plus detachable matching floral pin:

Which necklace looks better with this color of dress: turquoise or pearls? I like the contrast of the turquoise but the pearls with the floral pin looks nice too so I'm undecided.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

As part of my morning routine, I like to check out y'all's blogs on my phone to help me wake up. But man alive, nothing made me pop out of bed faster than Kileen's announcement that there was a killer Amrita Singh sale @ Enviius.com (Either go through Kileen's site or click here for my referral link). I have been seriously envious (haha, get it? OK, I think I'm witty again - must be the sale high) over all the beautiful AS pieces other ladies have scored from the sample sale in April and was sad that I missed it all.

Here's what I ordered (all prices in CAD):

Shelter Island Earrings, $20 (orig. $120) each

Water Mill Necklace, $23 (orig. $300)

Newlight Ring, $13 (orig. $120) each

Shipping was $16.99 and as I stated earlier, all prices are in Canadian. I'm not sure what the current CAD to USD exchange rate is, but if you have a Capital One card, you don't have to pay the foreign transaction fee.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

I love the idea of a clutch bag (and love seeing others rock it) but I also like keeping my hands free. This is an easy way to have it all - just add a chain to your existing wallet for a light-weight and super cute mini-bag! This can be used to turn your wallet into a wristlet, shoulder bag, or cross-body bag.

For this particular tutorial, I am using my Balenciaga Money Wallet in Electric Blue. I think it's a shame that this beautiful color has to stay hidden within my purse so really wanted a way to showcase it :)

Side note: no wallet was harmed in the making of this tutorial so don't worry about any irreparable damage - this is a reversible process.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Yay - Blogger is back! I never knew I was so Blogger dependent until I realized I couldn't comment or post anything!

Today's sewing project marks my first foray into Designer patterns via Vogue. Specifically, this one is from Michael Kors, pattern V1179. I cut out a Size 6 which is supposed to equate to a 30.5" bust, 23" waist, and 32.5" hip. Very obviously, I am no longer this size but based upon the description that this is a "very loose-fitting, pullover dress" added to the fact that the fabric is a knit, I figured it would be OK and it was! :)

I'm rather curious how this will look post pregnancy and am wondering if this would look nice with a belt. I might have to play dress-up with my dress form later on!

In other news, found out that I have gestational diabetes again so am on a restricted diet. The good thing is that my belly will continue to get big but the rest of me won't :P

Dress: DIY Polka Dots

Bag: "Charlotte" worn as shoulder bag rather than cross-body (I love the versatility of her chain strap!)

Monday, May 9, 2011

So I have to admit that I've been collecting Baby Girl items for an eternity (even before I was pregnant with my son). And though I very badly wanted a girl, I was expecting another boy this time around because this pregnancy is SO similar to my 1st. I gasped and started crying as soon as the ultrasound tech told me the news. I cannot wait to start buying little headbands, bows, and outfits!! Plus, now we can sew matching Mommy - Daughter ensembles (she won't even know to be embarrassed by that until way later LOL)!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Ventured to H&M to check out their swim collection even though I KNEW I would not be buying anything at this point in the pregnancy. I was just curious, y'know? :) I ended up forgetting about the swimwear when I spied a striped jersey dress with rope detailing. Heading deeper in the store, I also found a beautiful cognac tassel belt and turquoise necklace (I've been lusting after a turquoise necklace ever since seeing Cee's here). All at fabulously inexpensive prices so I snagged them all and posted in hopes this will help someone else.

H&M Yellow Striped Nautical Dress, Sm, $9.95 (w/ pic of tag above)

H&M Cognac Tassel Belt, One Sz, $12.95

H&M Turquoise Statement Necklace, $12.95

Here's a better view of the necklace and rope/grommet detail of the dress as well as what a preggy looks like in it. :) The only thing that seems odd about the dress is the length. It's not really long enough to be a maxi but is way longer than knee/above the knee dresses. I'll probably either wear it with flats or hem it after the pregnancy.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Monday, May 9th is the big ultrasound day and providing that baby cooperates, we will be able to find out his / her gender! We are soooo excited and absolutely can't wait! So that everyone can share in the excitement, I'm holding a small little giveaway for a handcrafted Pearl Ribbon Necklace (see examples here).

All you have to do to enter:

Be a public Follower of my blog (click "Follow" in my sidebar)

Leave a comment with your baby gender guess below.

A winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org from those who guess correctly.

I'll plan to post the winner on Monday evening (unless we don't know yet). All the winner has to do is email me and we'll work out pearl and ribbon colors from what I have in my little arsenal of supplies. Easy enough, right? :)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

I found this gorgeous coral, red, and olive paisley sheer fabric at Joann's and decided to do a high-necked dress with it. I was thinking halter at first but then decided against it - too much exposed skin (would like to wear this to work)! Once again, the hem is a bit longer to help me transition throughout the pregnancy. Can you believe I'm almost halfway through the pregnancy?!? Another Preggy Chronicles post soon :)